The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 396: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. hension. That his Royal Highness should have so deeply committed himself with such a man as Daniel Coffin, was more than enough to confound the Baronet and stagger his belief. Indeed, as he moved slowly away from the glass-door at the con- clusion of the scene, he asked himself, “Is this a reality, or is it a vision ?—am I awake, or walking in my sleep ?” Quitting the ante-chamber, threading the Jong passage, and crossing the landing once more, the Baronet wended his way back to Venetia’s boudoir —on entering which, he found her alone, reclin- =“ the sofa and wrapped in profound medita- “I have returned,” said the Baronet, “simply because I may have an alteration to make in our proceedings of to morrow night. Something has occurred which is suggestive of a change of tactics, placing indeed the principal inmates of Leveson House more completely in my power than ever. But I a Bot now trouble you with expalantions, 385 Venetia: suffice it for you to know that you shall not only baffle the Marquis, but likewise behold him so deeply humiliated that he shall throw him- self at your feet in an agony of terror—a grovelling, servile, miserable wretch !” “Oh! if you can accomplish all this,” exclaimed Venetia, her countenance, a few moments before 80 pensive, now lighting up with joy,—“ you know not how happy you will render me, aud how deeply, deeply gratefal I shall prove.” Fear not, dear Venetia,” responded the Baronet, “that I shall fail in accomplishing all I promise. Indeed,” he added, with a look of profound and tender méaning, “the reward held out is sufficient to excite me to even superhuman exertions in your cause.” “And that reward shall not be withheld,” mar- mured Venetia, bending dowa ber blushing coun- tenance. The compact was sealed with a fond embrace; and Sir Douglas Huntingdon took his departure. comliclbooks.com